‘Fleeing’ from joint session proof of govt losing majority: Shehbaz

Says PM Imran should ‘grant relief’ to people by tendering his resignation

LAHORE:

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday lashed out at the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf saying “fleeing” from parliament’s joint session was a “proof of government’s losing the majority”.

The government on Wednesday postponed a joint session of parliament which was scheduled for Thursday to forge consensus with the opposition over the legislation pertaining to electoral reforms.

In a statement, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President maintained that the refusal of government’s allied parties to become a part of the “black law” was a “good omen” for democracy.

“The government should revoke the ‘black law’ on NAB Amendment Ordinance, EVMs (electronic voting machines) and electoral reforms after the refusal and reservations of the [government’s] allied parties,” he said.

“Running away from parliament’s joint session is a proof of government losing the majority.”

Shehbaz took a dig at the incumbent regime for calling the parliament’s joint sitting “randomly” saying “the way the session was called like ‘thieves’, similarly it was called off in the dark of the night”, adding that the government was devoid of any feelings for the people.

He said the postponement of the joint session after the incumbent government’s defeat on Private Members’ Bill was a sign that Prime Minister Imran Khan no longer enjoyed the trust and confidence of parliament.

He said the premier should “grant relief” to people by tendering his resignation.

The joint session of both houses – the National Assembly and the Senate – was summoned for the passage of controversial Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021 which aimed at using the EVMs and granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis.-